Jaipur: Problems of Rajasthan University vice-chancellor RK Kothari does not seem to end. On Monday, a few teachers and students gheraoed the VC and asked him to either resign or go on leave until the probe against him was complete.
Following a recommendation by the state higher education department, former Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh had initiated a departmental inquiry against the VC for granting undue favours to candidates who back RSS ideology. Kothari headed a recruitment drive of about 118 teaching posts in 2018. The process courted controversy for violating standard operating procedures. As investigation is going on, students and teachers are demanding him to go on leave to prevent him from influencing the process.
A faculty at the geography department of RU, Naresh Malik, while talking to TOI said this was against the moral code of conduct. “We want him to leave this post until the investigation is over. Some other person should be given charge. He can influence the investigation. If Kothari claims to be an innocent and honest man who doesn’t take salary, why is he so reluctant on leaving the post,” said Malik.
A PhD scholar at the university, Ram Singh Samota, who was also part of the protest, said whatever the VC was doing is against the decorum of the position. “He should have gone for a leave on the first day when the probe began. What is he gaining with this? Even the VC of Udaipur went on leave till the investigation against him concluded,” said Samota.
However, Kothari refuted all the claims of influencing the investigation and said that he would take a step after receiving orders from the governor.
“Why should I resign or go on a leave? I haven’t done anything wrong. All the documents and reports are in the administrative building under the registrar. I have fulfilled all my duties, have conducted error-free recruitment process. I have nothing to fear,” said Kothari.
Following a recommendation by the state higher education department, former Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh had initiated a departmental inquiry against the VC for granting undue favours to candidates who back RSS ideology. Kothari headed a recruitment drive of about 118 teaching posts in 2018. The process courted controversy for violating standard operating procedures. As investigation is going on, students and teachers are demanding him to go on leave to prevent him from influencing the process.
A faculty at the geography department of RU, Naresh Malik, while talking to TOI said this was against the moral code of conduct. “We want him to leave this post until the investigation is over. Some other person should be given charge. He can influence the investigation. If Kothari claims to be an innocent and honest man who doesn’t take salary, why is he so reluctant on leaving the post,” said Malik.
A PhD scholar at the university, Ram Singh Samota, who was also part of the protest, said whatever the VC was doing is against the decorum of the position. “He should have gone for a leave on the first day when the probe began. What is he gaining with this? Even the VC of Udaipur went on leave till the investigation against him concluded,” said Samota.
However, Kothari refuted all the claims of influencing the investigation and said that he would take a step after receiving orders from the governor.
“Why should I resign or go on a leave? I haven’t done anything wrong. All the documents and reports are in the administrative building under the registrar. I have fulfilled all my duties, have conducted error-free recruitment process. I have nothing to fear,” said Kothari.
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